Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-11-24
CAST UPON THE WORLD.
CHAPTER III.


death Of an uncle he nGd come into the pos
session Of handsome fortune, aud was mak-
ing his first tour OF the country. He was
proud OF his French ancestry, and exceedingly
fond of the opposite sex, TO whose charms he
was highly susceptible The possessor of no
very brilliant attachments, he was not, how
ever, without his good qualities He was
even-tempered, sympathetic, and generous TO
a fault. Mr.. Montbarrie was in love--or at
least he imagined himself to be. The object
Of his passion was the youngest daughter OF
wealthy and fashionable widow lady named
Stevens. His trst meeting with her had taken
place only two days before his introduction to
the reader, in the parlor OF the hotel. The
first glance Of Emma Stevens bright, laugh
ing blue eyes had pierced TO his very heart.
Already his appetite had forsaken him, and
his nervous system had become sadly de-
ranged.
For more than an hour he had been pacing
his room In vain endeavor to quiet the agi-
tated spirit within him. Presently the thought
that a walk in the open air might produce the
desired effect suggested ITSELF so off he start
ed for a stroll before tea.
n
Beneath tree, some distance from the
hotel, two men were seated in the gathering
twilight One-a large fellow, with hard, re-
pulsive features, short, bristling hair, and a
beard Of several days growth, his back rest
ing against the trunk of a tree-was drinking
from bottle while the other, a cadaverous-
looking wretch, was voraclously devouring
chunk OF rare fat beef A single glance at
this pair was all that was necessary to con-
vince one that they were perfect specimens OF
that abomuable pest, the tramp.
"Leaye a drop for me, Morryl" exclaimed
the smaller man of the two TO the other.
"Dldn't say wouldp replied the other,
gruffly, withdrawing the bottle from his lips
aud passing 1t to his coinpanlon, who seized it
eagerly, and, wiping the nozzle with his rag.
ged sleeve, took long draught
Il say, Scanty," said Morry, laying his
hand upon the arm of his companion, '1xeep
some for bv aud by
"All right" replied Scanty, returning the
bottle to lis owner; then. after an interval Of
silence, he added: "Morr,, what do yer say
10 our relevin' the fancy chap as passed here
while ago o. his waluables!p
III was a-thinkin' o. the VERY same thing
msyelf," replied Morv, "It's gettin pretty
dark, and we cud do It widout a sbadder o.
risk. How is yer nerves."
Splendid" answered Scanty. There's
nuthiu like square meal ter give Teller
confidence in hssef. When my stomach's
full Pm all right but when it's empty amt
no good whatever" VII
''He looked as il he carried enough wild
him ter pay us fer Their trouble,n said Morry,
refeetyelv. .-....... ...,-.......
why, dian't yer note the chain he has, and
the diamond ne wears in his shirt" exclaimed
Scanty "Wby, 1t shines like calcium
light at a perlitical meetln', and shouldn't
be afraid ter bet he's got a sizey roll o. bank
notes in hispocket. The job I'D pay us well. d"
80 it will, replied Mory; land If he
comes back this way let's 60 for him"
''All right, responded Scanty; 'he'll be sure
TO pass here again. He's come along two
nights hand-runnin' just about Their same
time"
WELL" said MoTy, "we'll have ter do ther
Job neat, yer know. ''rll sneak mp ter him
from behind, and when I've got him tight you
go through him fer ther swag. If we had
piece o. stout cpri we could tie his feet and
hands and gag him, and leave him under the
bushes there, where they wouldn't find him
right of. We'd have moro time, then ter get
away safe.' .r-s
"lIere's the very thing yer want" said
Scanty, producing from his pocket roll of
strong, heavy Irvine, and ths'll do ter stop
his mouth" and he held up ragged and
much-solcd handkerchief.
'Ilist!" exclaim d Morry, suddenly stepping
forward and listening. There's some one
comm It's him, I'll bet. Make yerself
scarce now; but stand ready, II it is our man,
TO do yer part o. ther work"
Stealthily they disappeared beneath the
bushes which grew along the road side. The
sound OF approaching footsteps was now
quite distinct, Nearer aud nearer drew the
sound, and presently Mr.. Montbarre appeared
around a curve in the road little dreami ng
that danger lurked near. Suddenly a dark
figure sprang out Of the bushes near him, aud
hand Crashed his throat, and the next in
slant, before he eoul utter more than one
faint cry for help, his arms wee pinioned and
gag was pressed into his mouth. Then he
was forced back upon the earth, and two
forms bent over him. He felt hand fumbl ing
at his watch-cha'n. In vain he struggled to
release himself. He tried TO rise, but pow
erful arm thrust him bacI
go fer ther pocket book" he heard one OF
his assailants say in hoarse whisper. "while
Imake sure o. the calcium"
At the same instant there was a cracking
sound In the bushes near by, aud, raising his
head slightly, lie saw man spring into tue
road. The thieves started TO their feet Then
he heard a dull thud, AMI cry OF pain coupled
with curse, and before he fully realized
what had occurred, he felt that his arms were
free, and that he was being assisted to his
feet. The sounl OF rapidly retrcating foot
steps reached his ear. He wiped away the
great beads OF perspraton which stood upon
his brow, and looked after him. By the faint
light Of the moon, which was just appearing
above the trees he bsheld man standing be-
fore him. The stranger appeared to be TWEEN
ty five or thereahouts, and poorly dressed
"Are YOU hurt, my friendm asked the man
anxiously.
~ think So" herepled, confusedly. every
much-tbat Is. only llttle--in fact don't
know" AZ -lt
you are rather shaken up, imagine" said
the man. But have the scoundrels got away
with any Of your property"
Mr.. Montbarr.e hastily felt through his
pockets, and then passed. his hand over the
bosom OF his shirt et :
NO" he replied; II lave lost nothing
they have only broken my watch cham, that
Is alln E>Fnf
They're pretty bad pair. evidently, those
two. But one OF them will have sore head
TO nurse for some days to come, for gave
him a sound rap over the head with this
slender twig;" and the stranger placed in Mr.
Montbarrle's hand cudgel as large around
rs mans wrist. iat
Good Heaven You don't mean TO say
you hit him with ttislp sf